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Thu 15 May 2008, 14:41
May I be permitted to introduce myself please? I have been asked by FGW to become your representative on the FGW Customer Panel as the CLPG are no longer interested in this position. I also currently represent users from Banbury to Appleford as well. I am able to take up queries & problems that any users of the Cotswold Line from Hanborough to Shipton experience, including the chasing up of charter compensation claims older than 3 weeks, plus any that get incorrectly turned down. I don't wish to put a clickable email address here as spam bots will surely find it, but am willing to spell it out if forum rules permit. I can't find those - can someone please advise? But I monitor this forum pretty much on a daily basis, ditto the blog. FGW have today put out this press release on selective Door Opening (SDO).... quote
Train operator First Great Western is introducing changes to the way it
stops High Speed Trains at rural and local stations from Sunday 18 May. These changes reflect feedback from customers and operational
experience
gained since High Speed Trains began stopping at stations with short
platforms last December to provide increased capacity across the South
West
and Cotswolds routes. Using a Selective Door Opening (SDO) system, train managers have been
able
open train doors that are at the platform, but leave those doors that
are
off the platform, locked for safety. Now more Standard Class carriage doors will be able to open on short
platforms, and loading and unloading bikes will be more consistent
because
Coach A , the guards van, will now be available through revised
stopping on
short platforms. James Burt, First Great Western'€™s Customer Service Director, says:
'€œWe have
listened to our customers'€™ views and know we can improve the way we
use
these trains and improve our service. A lot of work has gone into
planning
and testing the improvements, which will deliver consistent benefits
for
our customers at these stations.'€? The key changes are: For trains travelling west, away from London Paddington, there will be
no
change when the train is in a normal formation with First Class at the
rear. However, if the train is '€˜in reverse'€™, the train will move
through
the short station to a designated point to ensure the rear of the train
is
on the platform, including Coach A. All trains travelling east - towards London Paddington will see the
front
of the train move beyond a short station to ensure the rear of the
train is
on the platform, including the guards van at Coach A. If, for operational reasons, trains are unable to adopt the new system,
they will stop with the front of the train positioned on the platform.
In
these circumstances customers will be permitted to place bicycles in
the
door vestibule areas of carriages if the guards van is not accessible
at
nominated stations, until they can be transferred. Posters offering customers details of these changes will be displayed
at
stations and signs indicating cycle loading points will also be
provided.
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